Chico ready to return better than ever

Chico ready to return better than ever
Nationals lefthander Matt Chico missed most of the 2009 season after having elbow surgery in 2008. Chico is optimistic he can return even better than he was before the surgery because he is pain free for the first time since his first spring training in 2004. I had a chance to talk with Matt as he prepares in Viera for spring training. How does elbow feel? "I pitched 83 innings last year in Low A and Double A. I made three or four starts. Everything was good at that point. Some simple...

Riggleman's thoughts on Chien-Ming Wang

Riggleman's thoughts on Chien-Ming Wang
The Nationals announced today they have signed pitcher Chien-Ming Wang. Wang won 38 games in 2006 and 2007 for the New York Yankees. I asked manager Jim Riggleman what he thought of the signing of Chien-Ming Wang: "I think it is a great signing on the part of the whole organization. It makes a statement by the Lerners, Stan Kasten and Mike Rizzo that we are not standing pat. "We are trying to do everything we can to improve because we know he will likely not be ready early in the season....

Riggleman: We will push from day one

Riggleman: We will push from day one
I had a chance to speak with Nationals manager Jim Riggleman as spring training 2010 gets underway today. We went over several of the important issues the Nats have solved and that they face as they embark on Jim's first full year as the Nats skipper. On the signing of Adam Kennedy at second base: "At this point, Mike has really addressed every issue we talked about since August with Adam Kennedy being one of those guys. We felt we needed add another infielder. It's a perfect match, a...

Chico making adjustments after bullpen session (with audio)

Chico making adjustments after bullpen session (with audio)
I spoke with Nationals left-hander Matt Chico today on his first bullpen session. He's in the same group as Stephen Strasburg, which he touches on a little bit in our conversation. Chico talked to me about what pitches he threw and how his arm feels today. He also shared what Steve McCatty and minor league pitching coordinator Spin Williams told him after the session and what refinements he'd like to make to his changeup. Chico even breaks down what, mechanically, he's working on and...

Mock: "Everything is running very smoothly"

Mock: "Everything is running very smoothly"
Nationals pitcher Garrett Mock gives us an update of how spring training is going so far as I caught up with him for a question and answer session. We talked about his two bullpen sessions and what he thinks of pitching in the first game of spring training. On pitching in the first split squad game March 4th against the Astros (J.D. Martin will start the other split squad game vs. the Marlins): "It should be a fun experience. It doesn't mean that much to me to be the first starter in...

Could Strasburg debut in Woodbridge?

Could Strasburg debut in Woodbridge?
With all the buzz continuing towards swarm proportions regarding baseball phenom Stephen Strasburg and when he will pitch in the majors, I thought it would be great to check in with the Potomac Nationals, The Nats High Class A affiliate in my beautiful hometown of Woodbridge, Virginia. Potomac has been mentioned as a likely starting point for Stephen as he makes his way to Nats Park in the (hopefully) near future. Jonathan Griffith, the Vice President and General Manager of the Potomac...

Desmond wants to stay "hungry"

Desmond wants to stay "hungry"
Nationals shortstop Ian Desmond told me this week he gets to camp every day before 7:00 a.m. because he wants to be there "early, as a younger player". He reads on the board what he will work on that day and gets on the field. He spent a few moments with me talking about his experiences so far and the possibility he could be the everyday shortstop for the Nationals. How has spring training gone for you so far? "I got here early and settled in (February 10th). I feel really good. My...

Baseball Prospectus on the Nats and Strasburg

Baseball Prospectus on the Nats and Strasburg
As the Nationals get ready to play actual baseball against other teams (yes!) at spring training, I thought it would be good to see what others think about the Nationals and some of their young talent. Steven Goldman, one of the editors of the 2010 Baseball Prospectus, joined me recently to preview major league baseball for the upcoming season. Goldman has helped run the annual for five seasons. I had a chance to ask Steven about the Prospectus and how it is put together (not easy), how he...

Nyjer Morgan's nickname for Maxwell

Nyjer Morgan's nickname for Maxwell
Nats outfielder Justin Maxwell gets his first start in center field Thursday versus the Marlins. I spoke with Justin to get his pulse on spring training so far. He talked about a variety of subjects including how his swing is feeling in spring training, how is stance is set this season in the batters box and the different feeling in the clubhouse this year. Maxwell says expectations are high for this team, and he comments on what the young guys have learned from the veterans who have been in...

What's it like to face Stephen Strasburg?

What's it like to face Stephen Strasburg?
As we get ready to embark on the first "Strasburg game" March 9th on MASN, I had a chance to check in with a collegiate coach that watched his team face Stephen Strasburg in the NCAA tournament and also coached Ryan Zimmerman. What's it like to face Strasburg? What did Zimmerman mean to the University of Virginia program? What's it like to be ranked #1? One person can answer all of these questions; it's UVA head baseball coach Brian O'Connor. The Cavaliers took on Strasburg and San...

Stammen ready to take next step vs. Astros Thursday

Stammen ready to take next step vs. Astros Thursday
Nationals pitcher Craig Stammen checked in to talk about his first outing and the strides he's making heading into his second game against the Astros on Thursday. Stammen says the jitters from his first outing are out of the way and his bullpen session went very well on Monday. On his first outing: "I felt good. It was nice for me to pitch without pain and be at full strength and let some things go a little bit. I'm kind of pitching with a new arm a little bit. It took a little time...

Scouting the enemy: The N.L. East (audio)

Scouting the enemy: The N.L. East (audio)
What will the Nationals be up against in the N.L. East in 2010? They've had trouble getting off to good starts the last two seasons, especially early on against the Phillies and the Marlins, so it is imperative they begin quickly and not dig themselves an early hole. Steven Goldman, top editor for the Baseball Prospectus, breaks down the Nationals' competition for us in the Eastern division. The Phillies are the favorites again. Goldman thinks they should have worked harder to keep Cliff...

Storen closer to Opening Day roster?

Storen closer to Opening Day roster?
Nationals pitcher Drew Storen recently checked in to give us a little insight on how spring training has gone for him so far. Storen is off to a great start on the mound: 3 games, 3.0 IP, 1 hit, 0 runs, 0 earned runs, 1 walk, 3 strikeouts, and obviously a 0.00 ERA. Drew talked about the Nats' 0-10 start to spring training, his pitching repertoire and one pitch he has yet to throw in a game, who he likes in the Big Dance and his thoughts on possibly making the opening day roster. Audio:...

The N.L. (minus the East) and A.L. preview

The N.L. (minus the East) and A.L. preview
March Madness is underway and that means baseball that counts is just two weeks away! The weather seems to be responding in kind, at least in the National Capital area. A couple of wins yesterday helps the optimistic spring feeling. It was good see both squads come up with curly W's behind the pitching of John Lannan and Craig Stammen. So who do you think can win it all? The Yankees or Phillies again? The Red Sox, Mariners or Giants? The Nationals and a dream season? We know what the...

Mock says Pudge helping to improve command (audio)

Mock says Pudge helping to improve command (audio)
Recently, I had a chance to talk with Nationals starting pitcher Garrett Mock about his pitching and how Ivan "Pudge" Rodriguez has been integral to his progression in spring training. Mock says Rodriguez is helping each pitcher work on finer points of pitching in spring training, specifically in hitting a spot "to see if they can or show them that they can". "During the season I believe Pudge came here to win at all costs," Mock said, but that may be sacrificed during spring training...

No more waiting for Maxwell and Desmond

No more waiting for Maxwell and Desmond
Could the Nationals be getting serious about a youth movement? It's looking more and more possible that Justin Maxwell and Ian Desmond will make the team this year out of spring training. If they do, here's a breakdown of the potential new lineup defensively: Josh Willingham, Nyjer Morgan and Justin Maxwell in the outfield.Ryan Zimmerman, Ian Desmond, Adam Kennedy and Adam Dunn in the infield.Stephen Strasburg and Drew Storen as the bookend pitchers (June 1).Pudge Rodriguez giving way to a...

Getting ready to see Strasburg

Getting ready to see Strasburg
With the news that pitching phenom Stephen Strasburg will start his professional career at the Double-A level with the Harrisburg Senators, I took care of the leg work for you and checked in with the Director of Broadcasting for the Senators, Terry Byrom, about the upcoming season. Byrom let us know when tickets will go on sale, and talks about the history of big names playing baseball in Harrisburg and the Eastern League All-Star game. He also discusses the impact of new manager Randy Knorr,...

Stammen stamping out his place in Nats rotation

Stammen stamping out his place in Nats rotation
Craig Stammen is one step closer to being named the fifth starter for the Nats rotation to begin the 2010 campaign. He has held his own in spring training and done a good job getting ready for the season. Saturday, Stammen pitched 5 innings and allowed only 2 earned runs. Stammen told me he is learning a lot during his side sessions with Steve McCatty. "I feel comfortable (on the mound) right now, back to where I was before the surgery. My fastball is good, I am throwing it for strikes, I...